FRA releases long-distance study interim report, invites comments

Map showing 15 proposed new Amtrak long-distance routes

WASHINGTON — Fifteen new or revived long-distance routes are presented in a new Federal Railroad Administration presentation to accompany the next round of meetings for its ongoing Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study. The 163-page PowerPoint presentation was issued prior to the third round of six regional workshops for stakeholders including Amtrak and state transportation officials, […]

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New Hampshire reviewing bids for purchase of Flying Yankee

Three-car stainless steel streamlined passenger train

CONCORD, N.H. — The state of New Hampshire is now reviewing bids for purchase of the Flying Yankee, the 1935 Budd Co. articulated streamliner built for the Boston & Maine Railroad — including a bid from the non-profit group that has long tried to support restoration of the train that is a virtual duplicate of […]

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New York MTA halts new contracts for capital projects

Workers in subway tunnel

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has halted the awarding of new contracts for capital programs of uncertainty over the planned congestion pricing program, a daytime toll program intended to discourage driving by charging $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The program is intended to start this year, and will help fund MTA […]

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California provides additional funding for San Clemente slide repairs

Landslide next to railroad tracks covered by tarps

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The California Transportation Commission has awarded an additional $7.2 million in emergency funding to address the landslide issues that have halted Amtrak and Metrolink passenger service through San Clemente, the Orange County Transportation Authority announced. The new funds, awarded Friday, follow an earlier $2 million award from the state for cleanup […]

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Steam operation ends in China

Plume of smoke from steam locomotive illuminated by sparks at night

Steam locomotives dropped their fires for last time in everyday use in China in mid-January with the end of operations at a coal mine in Xinjiang Province, ending three decades during which the country became famous with railfans worldwide as the last refuge of steam operation. New steam locomotives were still being built in the […]

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SEPTA receives $317 million grant for new railcars

Stainless steel trainset arrives at station

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennyslvania Transportation Authority has received a $317 million federal grant to replace the railcar fleet on its Market-Frankford Line, which will help fund an $800 million order for 200 new cars, the news site Philly Voice reports. On Friday, members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, led by U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and […]

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